Studying Chinese, business trips or tourist holidays on the island of Taiwan are possible only with a visa. How can I get it and what documents do I need to provide? To see for yourself the unique combination of advanced technology, modern industry and the culture of ancient China, you just need to visit Taiwan.
Russians do not need a visa to Taiwan in 2021. You can stay on the island for 14 days.
This entry permit will be given to those who arrived in Taiwan for tourism purposes, to visit relatives or for a business event.
Rules for visa-free entry for Russians
For visa-free entry and border crossing, Russians need the following documents in 2021:
- A foreign passport valid for at least six months.
- Ticket home or to a third country.
- Hotel reservation.
- Bank account statement to confirm solvency.
Panoramic view of Taipei the capital of Taiwan
By order of the ROC authorities, the visa-free regime is valid from the beginning of September 2021 until the end of July 2021. If the number of Russians wishing to visit Taiwan grows, the government promises to extend this period.
Entry without a visa
When talking about whether a visa to Taiwan is needed for Russian travelers, you should clarify how long the trip is planned for.
For citizens of the Russian Federation, simplified entry into the territory of the island of Taiwan is provided.
Terms and conditions
To visit the island without any problems, you do not need to obtain any additional permits. The main conditions are the length of stay and purpose.
According to local laws, Russian citizens can come to Taiwan for 14 days and only as tourists.
A similar rule applies in Hong Kong (2 weeks) and Macau (1 month).
Documentation
When visiting Taiwan without a visa, a traveler must provide:
- a foreign passport valid for at least another 6 months;
- return ticket home or to another country;
- hotel reservation;
- certificates confirming the availability of funds (account statement).
If border guards have doubts about the purpose or duration of a foreigner's visit, they can deny him entry to the island.
Before your trip, we also advise you to take care of taking out insurance for traveling abroad. This will protect you from any unforeseen situations during your trip.
Read more about the visa-free agreement with Taiwan in the following report:
The rules for simplified entry into Taiwan are reviewed annually. So far, visa-free entry for Russians has been left until the summer of 2020.
What visas are available when visiting Taiwan
You can enter Taiwan with two different visas: visitor and resident. At the same time, a visitor visa also serves as a transit visa. It is issued for periods of 30, 60 and 90 days. If necessary, a guest visa can be extended in the country itself if it was originally issued for 60 days or more. To extend your visitor visa, you will need to submit documents and an application at the National Immigration Agency. It is important to do this before the expiration date specified on the visa.
The residence visa, which is issued in case of study and work, is valid for a period of 180 days.
If necessary, on its basis, after a certain period of stay in the country, you can issue a residence permit.
In addition, the visa can be single or multiple.
This is what a visa to Taiwan looks like
If a trip to Taiwan is planned for transit purposes or several short business trips will be made over a certain period of time, a multiple-entry visa is issued. To do this, you need to provide a reservation for round-trip tickets.
How to extend a visa?
When applying for a long-term loan, you should consider the possibility of its extension. This is especially important since the maximum stay on the island is only 180 days.
This is not enough if a citizen of the Russian Federation came to work or study. But Taiwan's immigration laws make it easy to extend this period while on the island.
A visitor visa can be extended if it is issued for 60 or 90 days. A foreigner only needs to submit documents to the Taiwan Immigration Agency. The validity period of the new visa is 90 or 120 days .
If the document is marked No Extension, then to obtain a new visa you will have to travel outside of Taiwan.
There is no need to extend your residence visa . But if a citizen of the Russian Federation plans to stay on the island for more than six months, he is required to apply for a residence permit (ARC or APRC).
APRC is issued only after 5 years of continuous residence on the island (more than 183 days per year).
The ARC should be obtained immediately upon arrival in Taiwan. According to local laws, only 15 days are given to submit documents. If this condition is not met, the foreigner will face a fine of 2–10 thousand NTD.
What documents are required to obtain a long-term visa?
In case of independently applying for a visa to the Taiwanese mission or the Consular Section, any Russian will have to collect a small package of documents, which includes:
- A valid foreign passport with an expiration date of more than six months from the date of planned departure from the Republic of Taiwan;
- Copies of internal passport pages, including registration pages;
- A form that must be filled out electronically, taken from the official website, and then printed and brought with you;
- Two color photographs of standard size 3.5 by 4.5 cm;
- Confirmation of the financial solvency of the applicant;
- Invitation documents from the Taiwanese side.
In order to prove your financial solvency, you need not only a bank statement indicating the availability of funds in the account, but also a letterhead from your place of work, which indicates your position and salary for the last 6 months. It does not require very large sums of money.
In various cases, invitation documents can be letters from Taiwanese travel companies, organizers of various conferences and business meetings, and other official forms that are directly related to the purpose of the trip. It is also necessary to provide printouts of hotel reservations and air tickets.
In the event that the reason is family circumstances, the receiving party must send an invitation by mail in advance, supplementing it with a copy of the identity card or passport of the foreign citizen permanently residing in Taiwan.
Taiwan Resident Card
You will definitely have to pay a fee. It ranges from 50 to 150 US dollars and is paid in this currency. The cost of the fee depends on the type of visa.
What documents are needed for a Taiwan visa?
The package of documents for a visa to Taiwan depends on the purpose of the trip.
Documents for a visa to Taiwan should be prepared in advance to avoid delays in obtaining a visa. There are main packages of papers and additional ones, which are submitted depending on the type of permit received.
The standard set includes:
- International passport allowing travel outside the Russian Federation. Its validity must not expire 6 months after the trip. Also, a few blank pages are left in the document for a visa stamp.
- Taiwan visa application form . It is filled out on the official TMKK service - visawebapp.boca.gov.tw. The questionnaire contains up-to-date information, which does not differ from the information in the foreign passport. The form is printed out and signed at the end. The filling language is English.
- Photographs . Requirements for photos for a visa to Taiwan - take 2 of them, on a light background, so that the face is clearly visible. The image cannot be processed in programs such as Photoshop. Picture format: 30 x 40 mm. Photography with glasses or hats is not allowed, unless the attributes are needed for medical or religious purposes.
- A certificate confirming the availability of finances in a bank account, a salary statement indicating the person’s position and his salary for the last six months.
For a resident visa, attach a copy of the employment contract in the state, a completed questionnaire on the tourist’s health status (done in English).
Depending on the purpose of the trip, a number of additional certificates are added:
| Purpose of the trip | Required Notices |
| Recreation, tourism, inspection of cultural property | A notice containing an invitation from a travel company. The form is issued with the company logo and seal of the director. Additionally, a program and vacation route are included. |
| Business | Original or copy of invitation from the party who will receive the tourist in Taiwan. A scanned version of the registration confirmation from the host company. ID copy of the person who signed the invitation. |
| Studies | An invitation application from a university located in the state. Photocopy of student ID + original. Notifications confirming financial solvency to pay for studies and housing in the country. When a student visits Taiwan again to study the language, a certificate is prepared about the previous visit to the state, the course completed and the traveler’s grades. In this case, the period of stay in the state does not exceed 2 years. |
It is important to know! Before applying for a visa to Taiwan, you should check the accuracy of the collected documents. This will simplify the time frame for obtaining a permit and keep tourists calm.
To Taiwan on a tourist visit
If the planned trip to the island is made for the purpose of traveling and exploring the sights of Taiwan, and is also associated with a seaside holiday, then the documents confirming the purpose of arrival are:
- A travel plan from a travel agency or a self-created itinerary;
- Invitation from a Taiwanese travel company;
- Hotel reservations.
The itinerary is signed by hand in Russian on an A4 sheet and supported by a printout of the details of the booked hotels. In this case, you can get a visa yourself or through a travel agency, but in the second option you will have to spend a little more money.
You will learn about your impressions in Taiwan from the video.
What you need to get a work visa in Taiwan
Taiwan's attractions also include modern business and shopping centers. The republic is constantly developing, offering high technologies and developed industry to the world economy. Therefore, it is not surprising that the constant influx of job seekers in Taiwan is high. To apply for a work visa you need:
- A copy of the concluded employment contract;
- Official confirmation of labor rights;
- Certificate of professional qualification notarized and legalized by the Consular Section.
The validity of such a visa, as a rule, extends to the entire period specified in the employment agreement.
Business trip to Taiwan
A business trip to Taiwan to attend a business conference or any other similar event is one of the most common reasons for obtaining a visa.
Here, the entrant will be required to fax a copy of the invitation from the host organization. Or the original of this document. This is an official document on letterhead, which is signed directly by the event director or the person in charge.
The signature is confirmed by the person’s ID card number. This document additionally indicates not only the purpose of the Russian’s visit, but also his position and place of work. The invitation is accompanied by a copy of the company's registration in Taiwan.
Information for students
For students and invited students, there is no particular difference in the documents submitted for obtaining a Taiwan visa. In addition to the standard package and confirmation of your solvency, an invitation letter from the educational institution is required. This is an official document and must be recognized by the Ministry of Education of Taiwan.
National Soochow University in Taiwan
If a student goes to take repeated Chinese language courses, these documents must be supplemented with a certificate of completion of previous courses, which should indicate the number of hours and the grade received. It is important that the period of stay on the island does not exceed 2 years in total.
Visa categories
Taiwan's unrecognized status imposes some peculiarities on its visa policy. To visit the country for more than 2 weeks you need a visa. To receive it, you need to prepare a package of documents and submit it to the diplomatic embassy.
After reviewing the papers, a special commission can issue the following types of visa:
- guest;
- resident
A visitor visa is often requested and guarantees entry for 3 months. It is issued once and gives the right to cross the border once or multiple times. A single-entry visa is provided for work trips or tourist trips, for participation in exhibitions or conferences.
A single-entry visa is issued in case of a work or tourist trip.
Resident visas can be obtained by Russian citizens invited to work in a local company, applicants for study, foreigners to visit relatives and other persons traveling to the island for a long time. A multiple-entry permit allows you to travel an unlimited number of times during the year. Each visit should not exceed 14 days.
The holder of a foreign passport with a residence permit can subsequently apply for a residence permit in Taiwan.
Rules for entry with children
A child traveling with parents for more than 14 days will receive a separate visa.
To do this, parents need to provide a children's travel document to the representative office. If the child is traveling with one of the parents or with one of the other relatives, then upon entering the country you will also need to provide a notarized permission from the other parent or a power of attorney for escort. A translation of the document into English will also be required.
Consent is required directly for obtaining a visa. However, when passing Russian border control, it will only be required in cases where the child is traveling alone or accompanied by a third party. The document is not required when traveling with at least one parent.
Why may a visa be refused?
Despite the fact that the procedure for obtaining a visa is simple and in most cases does not cause problems for those entering the Republic of Taiwan, in some situations a refusal may be given:
- The information provided to obtain a visa is not provided in full or there is an error in filling out the application form.
- Some information has been deliberately changed by the applicant and does not correspond to the real data about him.
- On my previous visit to Taiwan, there were violations of public order and visa regulations.
When do you need to apply for a visa?
For long trips to the unrecognized republic, you will have to obtain a permit. A visa to Taiwan for Russians is required if your stay in the country is more than three weeks. Citizens of the Russian Federation receive the document at the representative office of the Taipei-Moscow Coordination Commission for Economic and Cultural Cooperation (TMCC).
Types of visas
Depending on the length of stay on the island, there are guest and resident visas. Guest (Visitor visa) is received if the visit does not last more than six months. They are single and multiple. They are issued for various purposes:
- tourism;
- business;
- treatment;
- participation in conferences and forums;
- temporary employment;
- short-term training, etc.
Visitor visas to Taiwan are divided into fixed-term and indefinite. The terms of their issuance range from 2 weeks to 3 months. When applying for an indefinite guest document, a tourist must contact the Immigration Center at his place of residence no later than 15 days after arrival.
You must apply for a Resident visa to Taiwan if you plan to live in the country for more than 6 months. This is often due to work, training or moving to relatives.
Required documents
The basic package of documents for any types of visas to Taiwan for Russians includes:
- a foreign passport valid for more than six months;
- 2 photos measuring 3x4 cm that meet standard requirements (color, white background, full face, printed on photo paper, no hats or glasses in the photo, unless provided for by special conditions);
- a form filled out on the representative office website and printed;
- confirmation of place of residence;
- certificate of financial condition.
The form must be filled out only on a special website https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_EVISA/ in English.
For a long-term tourist trip, documents will be required from a travel agency registered in the country, indicating the route and travel dates.
For working visits, an invitation from the host party (organization) is required.
If a Russian comes to Taiwan for the purpose of employment, then an employment contract with the company is required.
For students, confirmation from the educational institution is required, which indicates the financial support of the student.
If you are planning to move to relatives, you need to receive an invitation from the host party.
Terms and cost of registration
You are required to personally provide documents, a questionnaire and a photo to the representative office; sending by mail is not provided. If this is not possible, then a trusted person who has the necessary notarial confirmation can apply for you.
After submitting all documents, the consular department reviews your application within 5 days. As a matter of urgency, a visa to Taiwan can be obtained within 2 days.
The cost of the document depends on its type:
- non-urgent single entry costs $50;
- urgent one-time - $75;
- non-urgent multiple entry – $100;
- urgent multiple entry – 150 US dollars.
Payment is accepted exclusively in US currency.
Who can be refused
The country's authorities reserve the right to refuse an applicant a visa without giving reasons. Most often this happens due to:
- errors in filling out documents;
- providing knowingly false information;
- violations of the visa regime in previous trips (overstays, problems with the law).
Separately, Taiwan notes that persons with a criminal record do not enter the country. But in most cases these requirements are not verified.
A return visit may be required to resolve controversial issues.
Although Taiwan is not recognized by Russia as a separate state, this modern country is regularly visited by Russian citizens for various purposes. Residents of the Russian Federation have no problems obtaining entry permits, which is why Taiwanese tourism is popular.
Medical insurance and entry with animals
Since Taiwan is a country with well-developed medicine and a safe epidemiological situation, there is no need to take out special insurance in ordinary cases. Also, no additional vaccinations are required.
This is what health insurance for a trip to Taiwan looks like
If it is necessary to seek medical help, tourists can always count on international departments located in large hospitals. Dental services are provided mainly by private clinics.
At the same time, there are restrictions for entry with animals. Pets must be vaccinated according to all rules and have an embedded microchip. The health of the animal and its vaccinations are confirmed by a special certificate obtained from a recognized international quarantine center.
The certificate has its own expiration date. Upon arrival in Taiwan, the animal is quarantined for 21 days. Therefore, it is not worth taking it with you for a transit move or a short stay.
Features of obtaining a visa for Ukrainians
If documents are received by a Ukrainian living in Russia, then a lot depends on whether he has a residence permit in the Russian Federation or not. If a residence permit is available, then a Ukrainian can also apply for a visa to Taiwan in Russia; you just need to attach a copy of it to the package of documents.
But at the same time, a citizen of Ukraine must have a foreign passport, which can be obtained at the consulate of his country. If you don’t have a residence permit, then to get a visa you need to go to Kyiv.
Taiwan visa designations
Additional package of documents for obtaining a visa
Depending on the purpose of entry, additional documents must be provided.
So, to obtain a student visa to Taiwan, you will need an invitation from the university, a student ID or a copy of it, as well as a sponsorship letter or other proof of the student’s financial solvency. Such a document guarantees that the student has enough funds to live in the country for a long time. This could be a certificate from a bank or a letter of guarantee from parents.
Sun Moon Lake is located in Nantou County, Taipei City, and is named after its diamond-shaped northern section and crescent-shaped southern section.
Russians who are going to visit need an invitation from a relative - a Taiwanese citizen. The document indicates the details of the inviting party, as well as the foreigner’s place of residence. With this letter, the inviting party confirms that it is ready to fully or partially bear the costs of the applicant’s stay on the island. The invitation is certified by the Taiwan Immigration Agency.
Electronic application for a visa to Taiwan
A tourist visa to Taiwan for Russians in 2021 is not required when visiting the country for less than two weeks. To cross the border you will need a valid passport, confirmed accommodation reservation and a guarantee of financial security.
To obtain a business visa to Taiwan, you need an invitation letter from a Taiwanese organization. In addition to the company details, it must indicate the purpose of the foreigner’s trip, his place of work and position.
Taiwan yesterday and today
The island of Taiwan, located just east of China, is surrounded by the seas of the Pacific Ocean. Once upon a time, this corner of the earth was an independent territory, but later it managed to be both a province of China and an administrative unit of Japan. Now it is a partially recognized country, which has the old name - the Republic of China.
The sea surrounding the island not only offers beautiful beaches and recreational opportunities, but also makes Taiwan a long-standing tea exporter. And today the island has many active seaports.
The capital of the Republic of China is Taipei. This is a world-famous business center. It boasts not only masterpieces of modern architecture, including one of the tallest buildings in the world, but also numerous memorials, temples and museums.
Residential complex in Taipei
In addition to Taipei, the Republic of Taiwan has many other places that are extremely interesting for tourist pilgrimages.
